Material conditioning



June 5, 1934. G, Q HARRls 1,961,686

MATERIAL CONDITIONING Original Filed Nov. 2, 1929 atto: nu, o

Patented June 5, 19134 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Gordon D. Harris,Sound Beach, Conn., assignor to The Industrial Dryer Corporation.Stamford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application November 2,1929, Serial No. 404,387 Renewed November 14, 1933 14 Claims. (Cl.131-55) This invention relates in general to the contreatment withconditioned air in which air is ditioning of materials and moreparticularly has conditioned by spraying water into the same and,reference to a process and apparatus for concooling the air.

ditoning air orl other gases, whichl are circu- A still further objectof this invention is to lated over tobacco or other materials to be'provide an apparatus for treating tobacco and 60 treated. othermaterials in which treated `air is sub- Tobaccojwhen dry, is crisp andbrittle and, jected to a body of heated Water, Water spraysconsequently, cannot be Worked withoutl danger and cooling means beforebeing passed over the of breaking the leaf. Tobacco leaves for use asmaterial to be treated. r.

wrappers for cigars must be unbroken and yet With these and otherobjects in view, which 65 must be manipulated many times prior to beingmay be incident to my improvements, the i-nassembled on a cigar. It isessential, therefore, ventionv consists in the several process stepsthat the tobacco' be treated so that the leaves and parts andcombinations to be hereinafter will assimiliate moisture suiiicient torender the set forth and claimed, with the understanding same pliable toan extent that they may be that the several necessary features of myinven- 70 handled and conditioned for use as wrappers tion may bevaredas desired without'departwithout danger of fracture. ing from the spiritand scope of the appended The most successful processes for changing theclaims. physical characteristics of tobacco fromv a dry In accordancewith the present invention, ma-

condition, wherein the leaves may be easily terial such as tobacco isconditioned by circulat- 75 broken, to a pliable and flexible condition,in ing air over a bodyl of heated Water, dispersing which it issusceptible of handling without risk water into the air, cooling the airand then passof fracture, are those in which the hands of dry ing theair over the material to be treated. An tobacco are subjected toconditioned air. The apparatus susceptible of carryingout theproccondition of the air is modified during the ess of treatingmaterials may be constructed 80 treatment to insure the permeation ofmoisture in the form of a structure which is divided into throughout ailparts of the leaves, including the Aa products chamber surrounded by aircondistem, the blade or lamina, and the petiole contioning chambers. Thepartition forming the necting the blade with the stem. Tobacco upper andlower walls of the products chamber f treated in accordance With thisprocess is.. of are provided with a plurality of slots or other 85 highcommercial value. The present invention apertures through which air iscirculated from contemplates improvements in the processes in theconditioning chamber into the productsl which conditioned air is passedover tobacco or chamber. Tank'structures are provided in the similarmaterials. conditioning chamber directly above the upper A major objectof this invention is to devise portion of the products chamber andbeneath 90 an improved method and apparatus for treating the productschamber. These tank structures tobacco and other materials with.conditioned are provided with means for heating water conair. tainedtherein to a temperature sufficient to Another object of this inventionis to devise generate vapors. Suitable fans or blowers are 40 a methodand apparatus for treating tobacco provided for circulating air or othervsuitable 95 and materials requiring similar treatment with gas over thetanks into the conditioning chamconditioned air in which air ishumidified and ber and through slotted partitions into the prodsuppliedwith entrained moisture by spraying ucts chamber. Water into the same.The spraying may also In order to regulate the temperature of the v '45function as a cooling means. f air, cooling coils or other suitable heatexchange 100 Yet another object of this,invention is to dedevices areprovided in the conditioning cham-l visea method and apparatus fortreating tober between the tank structures. As air passes bacco andmaterials requiring` similar treatment from the products chamber, it issubjected to with conditioned air in which air is conditioned the vaporsrising from one of the tank strucby diffusing vapors arising from heatedbodies tures and is then cooled to a predetermined tem- `105 of watertherein and by spraying Water into perature before being subjected tothe vapors the air.. rising from the other tank. Water may be dis- Stillanother object of this invention is to persed into the air just beforeand/or after the devise la method and apparatus for conditioncoolingtreatment. In some instances, it may ing tobacco and materials requiringsimilar be desirable that the air have Water sprayed 110 therein beforethe air is re-introduced into the products chamber. The temperature ofthe water in the tank, the temperature of the cooling coils and thetemperature of the water sprayed ihto the air may be regulated so thatthe air in the products chamber will be maintained at a predeterminedtemperature and in all events, substantially saturated with moisture. Ofcourse, the sprays may function to regulate the temperature of the gas.

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have shown inthe accompanying drawing means for carrying the same into practicaleiect without limiting the improvements in their useful applications tothe lparticular constructions which, for the purpose of explanation,have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawing:

The single figure is a somewhat diagrammatic representation of amaterial conditioning apparatus-constructed in accordance with thepresent invention and which is susceptible of eiecting the processherein described.

In the drawing, there is shown an apparatus 1 for conditioning tobaccoor other materials rel quiring similar treatment. This apparatus isdivided by walls or partitions into a treating or products chamber 2 andair-conditioning chambers 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. The vertical partitions orwalls 8 and 9 separate chamber 2 from the side conditioning chambers orducts 4 and?, respectively, and horizontal partitions 10 and 11 separatechamber 2 from the upper and lower conditioning chambers. Chamber 5 is`in open communication with the side chamber or duct 4, and the lowerchamber. 6 is in open communication with the side chamber '7. Sidechambers 4 and '7 communicate with the upper conditioning chamber 3through openings, in which are positioned fans 12, driven by electricmotors 13 or other suitable sources of power. The upper conditioningchamber communicates with the products chamber 2 through slots in thepartition 10, and .chambers 5 and 6 beneath partition 11 communicatewith chamber 2 through similar slots in partition 11. Y

In order to secure an even distribution of air through the productschamber 2, slots 14 in the walls or partitionsJlO and 11 are providedwith adjustable closure members 15, which may be actuated to vary thesize of the slot openings. It has been found that the size of the slotopenings can be so regulated that air will flow through the productschamber in welldened streams with practically no intermixing of thestreams. This is very desirable since, when the air flows inwell-defined streams without any cross circuiting, an even distributionis 'obtained and proper treatmentv of all of the materials will beelected.

Slots 14 in the upper partition 10 are tted with tube-like members 16,with which are associated drip guard deflectors 1'7. The .tube-likemembers 16 extendva predetermined distance above the partition 10 andcooperate with the partition 10 and walls 8 and 9 to form tankstructures in which are contained bodies of water 18. The drip guarddeflectors 17 extend above the tubes 16 varying distances, as is clearlyshown in the drawing. These defiectors prevent any moisture whichcondenses on the upper wall 19 of the treating apparatus from dripping-through the slots 14 onto the material contained in the productschamber 2.

The tank structures aiorded by the several partitions-8, 9 and 10 andthe tube structures 16 are provided with suitable overflow conduits 20,which serve to prevent water contained in the tanks from exceeding apredetermined level. submerged in the bodies of water 18 are suitableheating elements 21, whichimay be in the form of coils through whichho/tfluids are circulated, or electrical heating elements. Water is suppliedto the tanks above the slotted partition `10 by means of suitable supplyconduits, (not shown), which preferably are fitted with valvescontrolled by automatic regulating devices, such as floats, positionedin the'tank structures hereinbefore described. With`the constructionjust described, it will be appreciated that the water within the tankstructure will be maintained at a substantially constant level,regardless of the quantity of water evaporated therefrom by the` heatingelements.

Chambers or ducts 5 and 6 beneath partition 11 are seperated by thepartition or separating wall 22. Each of these chambers is provided witha tank adapted to contain a body of water 23, which is prevented fromexceeding a predetermined level by means of the overow conduits 24. Thebodies of water 23 are heated by means of heating elements 25, which arein the form of coils, through which are circulated hot fluids, orelements through which electric current is passed. Water is supplied tothe ,lower tank structures by suitable supply conduits provided withautomatically controlled valves for maintaining a lpredetermined levelof water within the tanks.

It will,` be appreciated that after the vapors arising from the bodiesof water diffuse into the air, the temperature of the air will beincreased; also, the surrounding or outside temperature may be greaterthan is desired in the products chamber. In order to cool the airI sothat it will be at the proper temperature for treating the material inthe products chamber, there are provided suitable cooling coils 26 inthe side conditioning chambers 4 and 7. `Water or other cooling media4may be supplied to these coils through suitable conduits, (not shown),which are equipped with regulating valves. If desired, thermostaticcontrol means may be provided in the products chamber 2, by means ofwhich the valves positioned in the cool fluid supply conduits may beactuated. With such construction, the temperature of the air within theproducts chamber 2I can be automatically maintained at a predeterminedvalue.

Certain material may be advantageously treated by circulating saturatedair' thereover, which contains entrained moisture. It has been foundnecessary to saturate the air into which the water is sprayed in orderto properly moisten the material. If water is sprayed into dry air, orair having a low moisture content, and then with the entrained moisturein drop form passed over tobacco, the humidication of the tobacco isnotproperly effected. Therefore, it is essential that the air which carriesthe moisture be substantially saturated with water vapor, regardless ofvthe ampunt of entrained water droplets.

Apparatus for introducing entrained water in the air is shown in thedrawing. In each of the compartments 4 and '7, there are positioned aplurality of spraying means 2'7 of any construction and size foundsuitable for the purpose. As shown, the sprays are positioned above andbelow the cooling coils, but I wish it to be clearly understood that thesprays may be located at any point found desirable, and that any number`of them may be employed.

It is Within the concept of the presentl invention to regulate thetemperature of the water supplied to the spraying devices so that thetemperature of the air may be properly maintained.

The structure herein described is particularly useful for surfacewetting the material to be treated. When so used, the moisture is evenlydeposited on the material.

In operation, material to be treatedis placed in the products chamber 2,and the fans 12 are set in operation so that air will ow over thematerial in the desired direction. Air from chamber v1, in one directionof flow, will be drawn down through slots 14 in partition 11 over thebodies of water 23. These bodies of water may be heated at a constantrate or at a varying rate, dependent upon the manner in which thestructure is to be operated. Vapors generated by heating the bodies ofwater 23 arise and diifuse into the air which ows through ducts 5 and 6.I

Mixtures of air and vapors'flow up through ducts 4 and 7 over thecooling 'coils 26. The temperature of the cooling coils is maintained bya thermostat within the products chamber,

l or elsewhere, so that the air flowing over the coils will be at such atemperature that, after further treatment, it will be at the temperaturedesired for the products chamber. Before and/or after the coolingtreatment, water from the spraying devices is dispersed into the air.This water is entrained in the air and is carried with the air over thematerial to be treated. The tempered air from the ducts '7 and 8, which'is substantially saturatedwith moisture, is then drawn upwardly by thefans 12 and is forced into chamber 3, where it'meets with vapors arisingfrom the bodies of water 18. Vapors arising froml the bodies of water 18will diifuse into the air in the chamber 3 to further moisten the same.After this treatment, the air will be at substantially 100% saturation.The treated air will then flow down through the slots 14 over thetobacco or other material to be treated.

The temperature of the conditioning air may, of course, be regulated bycontrolling the temperature of the cooling coils and the 'temperature ofthe water entrained in the air, and by regulation of the heatingelements in the conditioning chambers.k

As hereinbefore pointed out, the sizeof the slots 14 may be regulated byadjusting closures l5 so that the air will flow through the productschamber 2 in well-denned streams, so that material in all portions ofthe chamber will receive the proper treatment.

While I have described one form of operation of my invention, in whichair is passed down- Wardly through the products chamber, I Wish itsimple, in that relatively few parts are required and that the structureis susceptible of operation to produce very effective results. Byplacing humidifying tanks in the upper compartment 3 and so associatingthem with the partition 10 that the partition 10 is of practically thesame temperature as the heated bodies of Water, and above that of theheated air, there will be no condensation of moisture on the partition10 which could drip onto the material being treated to spot or otherwisedamage the same. The construction herein described is susceptible ofbeing used both in continuous process type of conditioning apparatus orin the intermittent, or compartment type, in which the condition of theair is varied. By this'method, the material is not only subjected todesired moistening by humidied air, but is simultaneously submoisture,cooling the moisture-saturated gas,

a second body of heated water and then owing it over tobacco to betreated.

3; A method of treating tobacco and similar materials comprisingcirculating a gas over a body of heated water, dispersing Water into-thegas, cooling the gas, again dispersing water into' the gas, passingk thegas over a second body oi heated water 4and then owing it over materialto be treated.

4. A method of treating tobacco and similar materials comprisingcirculating a gas over a body of water, heating the water to diiusevapors into the gas, cooling the gas and dispersing water into the same,passing the gas over a second body of water, heating the second body ofWater to diifuse water vapor into the gas and owing the conditioned gasover material to be treated, and regulating the cooling of the gas toobtain desired gas temperatures.

5. A method of treating tobacco and similar materials comprisingcirculating a gas over a body of water, heating the water to diiusevapors into the gas, cooling the gas and dispersing water into the same,passing the gas over a second body of water, heating the second body ofwater to diffuse water vapor into the gas and flowing the conditionedgas over material to be treated, and regulating the heating of the waterbodies and the cooling of the gas to obtain desired gas temperatures.

6. An apparatus for conditioning tobacco and similar materialscomprising a products chamber and conditioning chambers, the productschamber being positioned centrally of the conditioning chamber and invcommunication therewith by means of slotted partitions, a plurality oftanks containing water bodies in said conditioning chamber, meansinterposed between said bodies of water for cooling the gas, a pluralityof spraying elements adjacent the cooling means,

and means for circulating the gas through said chambers.

7. An apparatus for conditioning tobacco and similar materialscomprising a products chamber and conditioning chambers, the productschamber being positioned centrally of the conditioning chamber and incommunication therewith by means of ,slotted partitions, a plurality oftanks containing water bodies in said conditioning chamber, meansinterposed between said bodies of water for cooling the gas, waterspraying elements positioned above and below said coolingmeans, andmeans for circulating the gas through said chambers, means for heatingsaid bodies ofwater to saturate the gas with water vapor and means forcirculating the gas through said chambers.

' 8. An apparatus for conditioning tobacco and i similar materialscomprising a products chamber,

the lower and upper walls of said products chamber being provided with aplurality of slots, conditioning chambers positioned about Vthe productschamber and communicating therewith through said slots, a plurality oftanks containing water bodies positioned in said conditioning chambers,means between said water bodies for cooling the gas, means positionedabove and below the cooling means for spraying water into thesame, meansfor circulatinggthe gas through said chambers and means for control-`ling the siz/e of said slots.

9. An apparatus for conditioning tobacco and similar materialscomprising a products chamber, the upper and lower walls of saidproducts chamber being provided with a plurality of slots, conditioningchambers positioned about the products chamber and communicatingtherewith through said slots, a tank structure asso-v ciated with saidupper slotted Wallsuadapted to contain a body of water, a tankcontaining a body of water in the conditioning chamber beneath saidlower slotted wall, cooling means in said conditioning chambers betweensaid bodies` of water, arplurality` of spraying elements positionedadjacent said cooling means, and means for circulating the gas thro-ughsaid products chambers and through said conditioning chambers over thebodiesfoffwater and the cooling means. v

10. An apparatus for conditioning tobacco and lsimilar materialscomprising aproducts chamber, the upper and lower walls of said productschamber being provided with a plurality of slots through which the gasis circulated, conditioning chambers positioned about the productschamber and communicating therewith through said slots, a plurality oftanks containing'water bodies in said conditioning chamber, meansbetween said Vwater bodies for cooling the gas, means for entrainingmoisture in the gas, .a

plurality of drip guard deectors associated with rcontaining Waterbodies in said conditioning chamber, means between said water bodies forcooling the gas, a plurality 0i water spraying elements positioned insaid conditioning chamber, means associated with said slots for varyingthe size thereof and means for circulating the gas through saidchambers.

12. An apparatus for conditioning tobacco and similar materialscomprising a products chamber, the upper and lower walls of saidproducts chamber being provided with a plurality of slots through whichthe gas is circulated, conditioning chambers positioned about theproducts chamber and communicating therewith through said slots, aplurality of tanks containing water bodies in said conditioning chamber,a plurality of spraying elements positioned in said conditioning chamberfor entraining moisture in the gas, a plurality of drip guard deflectorsassociated with the slots in the upper partition to prevent moisturecondensed from the gas from dripping through said slots, means'associated 115 withsaid slots for varying the cross-sectional areathereof and means for circulating the gas through said chambers.

13. A method of conditioning material comprising moistening a gas,cooling the gas to a desired'temperature while dispersing water into thegas, again moistening the gas, passing the gas in one direction of flowthrough a zone containing material to be treated, and subsequentlyreversing the direction off flow of the gas, and moistening, cooling andagain moistening the gas before it enters the zone.

14. A method of conditioning tobacco and other materials in which thematerial to be treated is positioned in a zone through which a

